lfletcher

I actually preferred my old crock pot over my new one. The newer one seems to cook hotter and boils the food rather than simmers it. It does have a removeable insert for cleaning, however, which is nice.

arimuse

oh, yes, the cheaper the better and I cook on high sometimes as long as I would on low. I just made something called a "flaten" cut of beef ribs Oct 1 (for an "ocktoberfest at home lol - used sliced onions and kraut in the pot, spices,) and they fell off the bones! never heard of this cut, its across the ribs so each piece has a bunch of little bones thru it. sharet

moroni

There is a website for Yahoo groups slow cooking's most frequentley asked questions.
There is a big difference between the old slow cookers and the newer hotter ones.
I have several old ones because I like being able to go away all day and come home to a nice moist well cooked meal.
Judy

Wanabee Quiltin

I always brown my meat before cooking it in a slow cooker/crock pot. The browning gives the meat flavor. Also tomato in any form breaks down the meat so if you add some tomato juice/sauce/ketsup the meat will be tender. I do not add it to my meat all the time. I always add spices as I agree that the meat can be tasteless.

lillybeck

The difference I see is that the new "slow cooker" has more dials. I have gotten a tough cut of meat before and it does make a difference.

muddlingabout

I have always had tender juicy meat and I have my first one from the 70's and the newer large HEAVY oval with the removable insert. I do usually brown beef first. Vegetables always go on the bottom. The "set it and forget it" method works best. I have a friend who is always lifting the lid and stirring and tasting. That defeats the purpose!

FroggyinTexas

Ditto! froggyintexas

auniqueview

We love pulled pork, plain, bbqed, in chili, etc. I buy a pork butt, toss it in the slow cooker over a layer of sliced onion, pour in some beef broth, plug it in and forget about it. Everyone once in a while I will poke it with a fork. When it falls apart, I turn it off, let it cool, and later pull it apart. Works wonderfully.

ALso works great on beef roasts.

Treasureit

time...takes longer to fall apart.

TexasGurl

Get disposables !! Paper plates and plastic silverware, that's what we used during our remodel ... also take out and pizzas :)